Privacy Policy

HouseScout (“we”, “our”, “the app”) is a personal-use property research tool for Christchurch, New Zealand. It is published as a static website on GitHub Pages and runs entirely in your browser. We have deliberately designed it to collect as little personal information as possible. This policy explains what is and isn’t collected.

• We do not require an account, login, name, email address or phone number.
• We do not operate an application server or database that stores your activity.
• We do not sell, rent or share personal information with advertisers.
• We do not run third-party advertising or behavioural-tracking networks.

Some preferences are stored locally on your own device using your browser’s localStorage. This data never leaves your device and is not transmitted to us:

• Your optional local AI endpoint URL and model name (Settings page).
• Your acknowledgement of the cookie/consent notice.
• Cached AI analysis text to avoid recomputation.

You can clear this at any time by clearing your browser’s site data for HouseScout.

The site is hosted on GitHub Pages, operated by GitHub, Inc. When you load any website, the host’s servers automatically receive standard technical information such as your IP address, browser type and the pages requested, and may log it for security and operational purposes. This is outside our control and is governed by GitHub’s Privacy Statement.

If you choose to connect a local AI model (e.g. LM Studio) via the Settings page, the questions and listing data you submit are sent directly from your browser to the endpoint URL you configure (typically http://localhost on your own machine). HouseScout does not intercept, store or relay that traffic. If you point the endpoint at a third-party service, their privacy terms apply.

Listing information displayed in the app is aggregated from publicly available real-estate sources for personal, non-commercial research. It may be incomplete, out of date or inaccurate. It is not personal information about you. Property images are reproduced from their source listings; rights remain with their respective owners.

Because we do not collect or hold personal information about you on our servers, there is generally no personal data for us to access, correct or delete. For data held in your own browser, you control it directly. For host-level logs, contact GitHub. You may complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner if you believe your privacy rights have been breached.

HouseScout is intended for adults researching property purchases and is not directed at children.

We may update this policy as the app evolves. The “Last updated” date above reflects the current version. Material changes will be reflected on this page.

This is a personal-use project. Privacy questions can be raised via the project’s GitHub repository issues page.